This in from the St. Louis Blues: “We have tendered offer sheets to Edmonton’s Philip Broberg and Dylan Holloway.”
At once, the reaction was fast and furious on the social media:
TSN’s Ryan Rishaug @TSNRyanRishaug
Oilers definitely in a tough spot with these offer sheets. Kanes health status becomes even more important with the potential for LTIR relief, but even at that, will be tough to keep both players. 2 coordinated offer sheets at a team thoroughly strapped. Aggressive targeted
Commentator David Pagnotta @TheFourthPeriod
Since 2007, only 2 of 9 offer sheets were not matched: Dustin Penner (EDM gave a 1st, 2nd, 3rd RD picks to ANA as compensation) and Jesperi Kotkaniemi (CAR gave 1st & 3rd RD picks to MTL as compensation in 2021).
The 7 other offer sheets tenured were matched: Thomas Vanek (EDM offer in 2007), David Backes (VAN offer in 2008), Steve Bernier (STL offer, 2008), Niklas Hjalmarsson (SJ offer, 2010), Shea Weber (PHI offer, 2012), Ryan O’Reilly (CGY offer, 2013) & Sebastian Aho (MTL offer, 2019)…Of note, players must agree and sign an offer sheet, they aren’t simply at the mercy of the team pitching the offer. In this case, both Broberg & Holloway agreed to deals with the Blues, which the Oilers have 7 days to match or take draft pick compensation for either or both.
St. Louis hockey commentator Andy Strickland @andystrickland
You would think the St. Louis Blues would be able to get at least one of the two. The Evander Kane injury situation could be a wildcard… Pretty well thought out strategic move by the #stlblues to reaquire a 2nd round pick from Pitt. Edm with $3 mil in dead money between Campbell and Neal puts them in a bad spot. Edm lacks young established players in the org , this would decimate Edm youth in their lineup with one sub 25 year old in Bouchard. Plus with upcoming negotiations with Draisaitl and Bouchard coming.
Sportsnet writer Elliotte Friedman
*Oilers have seven days to decide on matching
*If they don’t match, will get a second-round pick (Broberg) and/or a third-rounder (Holloway)
*St. Louis made a trade with Pittsburgh to re-acquire their 2025 second-round pick so they could do this with Broberg (you must have your own picks to do an offer sheet)
*Oilers are tight to the cap, and AAVs signed here obviously much higher than Edmonton was offering
Lots to absorb
Sportsnet commentator Mark Spector🇨🇦🇺🇦 @SportsnetSpec
Oh boy…
The Athletic’s Scott Wheeler @scottcwheeler
Philip Broberg, YOU are a St. Louis Blue!
Spittin Chiclets commentator Ryan Whitney @ryanwhitney6
What the hell is going on
Former NHL ref Tim Peel @TimCPeel20
Didn’t see that on my bingo card this morning!
Florida Panthers podcast Panther Pourri @PantherPourri
Oh we are having fun now.
Daily Faceoff contributor Anthony Di Marco @ADiMarco25
Most people I’ve spoken with are of the belief that #stlblues will walk away with one of the players – most likely Philip Broberg. Overall a positive response from league executives for the aggressive play by STL; does this open up the use of the offer sheet going forward?
Missin Curfew @MissinCurfew podcast
Steener and the Blues making moves. The #ilers have 7 days to match otherwise there might be a fight arranged in a barn
Edmonton Journal writer Jim Matheson @jimmathesonnhl
These offer sheets by Blues to Broberg and Holloway are clearly a kick in the head to Oilers since Broberg could be a top 4 D partner of Nurse and Holloway a possible third-line LW this season… Don’t see any way Oilers can match offer sheets for Broberg and Holloway unless Kane’s $5.5 m goes on LTIR and even then they couldn’t match on both young players unless they make another move to say trade a player. Compensation for both Oilers is weak…
Hockey New writer Ryan Henkel @RyanHenkel_
Move over Carolina, it seems there’s a new top dog in the offer sheet world.
The Athletic’s Dom Luszczyszyn @domluszczyszyn
hell yeah let’s gooooo
Hockey commentator John Shannon @JShannonhl
WOW
Found of Fractal Hockey Will Scouch @Scouching
These offer sheets are the max in their tiers, so if the Oilers don’t match, they’d only get a 3rd for Holloway and a 2nd for Broberg. I could be wrong but EDM is over the salary cap, but should be able to match both and not surpass the extra cushion teams get in the offseason?
TSN reporter Chris Johnston @reporterchris
Pretty creative maneuver by #stlblues in signing offer sheets with two #oilers RFA’s.